Best Places to Eat in New York City

If there was ever a city that would feature some of the best that the world’s cultures have to offer in terms of food, one would think that New York City is at the top of that list. It was home for many of the people who came from European nations looking for a new start in a new world back in the early 1900s, bringing their flavors from different cuisines to America.

Those flavors have evolved since then and the city enjoys a wide variety of fine dining and casual eats in various parts of the city that includes Manhattan and Staten Island. The following are the top five places to get good food in New York City.

Hudson Eats – 200 Vesey Street

Are you a part of a tourist group that can’t decide what type of food you want to get? Hudson Eats is a food court setting that allows you to have different choices that includes several types of hybrid dining options – like a Vietnam-Thailand fusion that allows for a combination of seafood and Umami burgers.

There are several people who enjoy the Num Pang booth that is known for fresh corn on the cob and watermelon juice as top offerings. The best part might be the view of the nearby Hudson River, which is why the seats near the window get pretty full during the lunch hour rush in New York City.

Eleven Madison Park – 11 Madison Avenue

This one isn’t for the budget traveler and more meant for the higher income people, but this is a great upscale American dining experience that provides an amazing atmosphere where there is a special art décor area to enjoy some of the foods that are created by head chef Daniel Humm. It is going to be a high-quality meal that includes plats served in containers filled with smoke for that extra boost of flavor.

Just be prepared to spend plenty on a good wine or beer to go along with your meals, with many glasses costing $20 or more.

Best Pizza – 33 Havemeyer Street

If there’s going to be an article about the best food to get in New York City, one would expect to see pizza somewhere on this list, just like pizza being mentioned at least once about food in Chicago. So let’s go with the best pizza at, well, Best Pizza. It is a very low-key location with only a few tables and chairs and looks like something from a converted home.

Pizzas are baked in a brick oven that can be seen from the counter, so there’s no hiding what they’re doing in the kitchen. One of the signature pizzas include meatball, bacon, and some seasonal vegetables. There are also some hero sandwiches that includes an Italian combo of cured meats, provolone cheese, some eggplant, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and oil.

Katz’s Delicatessen – 205 East Houston Street

This is one of the more famous delicatessen locations that was first opened back in 1888 with the corned beef pastrami sandwich being one of the most requested items that has been featured in film and television for several years. The meats are cut thick and stacked high between slices of rye bread that has a little bit of mustard added for that extra flavor – simple and amazing.

Other items include a matzo ball soup and a frankfurter that is essentially their specialty all-beef hot dog that has a natural casing that provides a nice snap on the bite. Don’t forget to try some of the hot sandwiches that includes a brisket sandwich where the meat is slowly roasted inside a gravy from Grandma’s recipe book.

Evergreen Diner – 145 W. 47th Street

Sometimes, you just need a nice little diner where you don’t need any extra frills while enjoying a good breakfast or lunch that is a perfect combination of American and Italian flavors. Breakfast features Belgian waffles that can be served with just the simple syrup and butter, with fruit and cream or with eggs and meat – ham, sausage, or bacon.

Among the sandwiches are the genoa salami, turkey, and cheese club sandwich; a meat loaf sandwich; and a variety of grilled cheese that can include bacon, tomato, lettuce, and even French fries inside the sandwich.

About Author

After graduating from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor's Degree in New Media Journalism, Dean found success as a writer/reporter covering various topics that include sports, entertainment, food, education, and politics. Currently, he is a reporter for such groups as the Northwest Guardian on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and for the professional wrestling website Daily DDT. This Midwest native still has a deep knowledge and appreciation of food.